How Chris Kuna Is Turning the Wheels Toward a Healthier Future for Truck Drivers

You probably know him as the founder and host of Chris Kuna Drive, a segment he features on his Instagram account, where he interviews drivers, aiming to shine a spotlight on their stories and experiences in the industry.

He also runs a website, driverness.com, focusing on driver wellness, where he lists trusted jobs and services for truck drivers and owner-operators, as well as fuel cards, CDL training, and more.

When the Road Takes Everything

You frequently highlight drivers’ stories on your Instagram — what’s one driver story that deeply impacted you or changed your perspective?

"Unfortunately, there’s one story that’s all too common and repeated by many drivers. After being on the road for 30 or 40 years they’re broke. No retirement savings, no family, no home. Just a bunch of health issues and no plans or dreams. One driver told me, “Trucking took it all.”

Truckers are some of the most important people in our society, they start their careers with hopes for a better life — and many of them end up with nothing. It shouldn’t be like that. Every time I hear a story like this, I share it on my social media for people to see. Hopefully, it sparks conversations about the well-being of truck drivers and other blue-collar workers in America, the forgotten heroes who do the job and receive no recognition."

Misconceptions in the Logistics Industry

What do you think the mainstream logistics industry gets wrong about the everyday life of truck drivers? 

"This industry involves many moving parts and many people. But most of us get to turn off our phones at 5 p.m., close the shop door, log out of the computer, and go home to our families. We get to spend time with friends and do the things we’re passionate about. Drivers don’t have that luxury.

My biggest issue with the industry is performance-based compensation– paying drivers per mile. When something goes wrong– bad weather, road closures, long loading/unloading, truck problems, or lack of loads– the driver often sits for hours unpaid. When I posted a video about this, it got over 2 million views. Every truck driver agreed: CPM (cents per mile) pay ultimately hurts drivers.

It also creates a safety risk. Drivers are incentivized to speed and break traffic rules just to squeeze in the most miles within the legal 11 hours of driving. It causes stress, road rage, and unsafe conditions on the road."

Mental and Physical Health on the Road

What are some practical habits or tools you recommend for drivers to stay mentally and physically healthy on the road?

"The trucking environment is extremely toxic: unhealthy food at truck stops, lack of parking, long hours, lots of responsibility, dangerous roads, constant pressure, and little appreciation or human interaction. But it is possible to live a healthy life on the road.

Trucking will give you unlimited excuses not to work out, not to eat healthy, or to take care of yourself. One way to fight back is to set daily minimum goals — simple, non-negotiable habits you commit to, no matter what. Brushing your teeth is a great example. Even if you oversleep, skip breakfast, or skip a shower but you never skip brushing your teeth.

If you’re a trucker, your daily goals might look like this: Brush your teeth twice a day, do at least 10 squats, eat at least 2 apples and 2 bananas

If you stick to these daily habits, you’ll stay grounded. If you start skipping them, that’s a red flag. Either get back to your routine or switch jobs. Because if you don’t take action early, 30 or 40 years later, you might end up like the stories I hear so often — broke, alone, and full of regrets."

Balancing Social Media and Community Engagement

How do you balance the demands of running social media platforms, and a website, and staying connected with the trucking community?

"My long-term goals are what drives me every day. After 15 years in the trucking industry, and after meeting thousands of incredible men and women who chose this path, I felt called to do something meaningful.

Cars and trucks have been my passion since I was born. I love solving problems and talking to people. Managing Driverness and my social media brings all that together: I get to be around vehicles, connect with amazing people, and work on real-life challenges that affect millions in America and around the world."

The Future Vision for Driverness

What are your long-term goals and how do you see the role of wellness evolving in the trucking industry?

"My long-term vision is bigger than trucking. Driverness is not just a company. It’s a philosophy, a way of thinking about safe and healthy driving.

Through my own experiences and interviews with professional drivers, I want all road users to understand that driving is serious business. It’s about safety and wellness. Life after a bad accident is never the same. Driverness is about health, wellness, and safety for everyone behind the wheel.

In the U.S., we see 13 traffic deaths per 100,000 people. In Europe, that number is 4. I want to help bring that number down. I don’t have legislative power, but I do have a voice — and if I can influence even a small portion of the public to drive safer and live healthier, it’s worth it."

Making an Impact Beyond Operations

What advice would you give to other professionals in transportation looking to make a meaningful impact beyond logistics and operations?

"Communication is everything. Talk to drivers. Ask how they’re doing. Check in on their wellness. Drivers often keep to themselves and try to carry the weight alone, but they shouldn’t have to. Let’s stop treating them like machines designed to make money. Too often, logistics professionals are focused on profit margins, delivery speed, volume, and cost, and in the chase for success, we forget the people behind the wheel. While we’re at the bar celebrating a great quarter or a bonus, there’s a driver out there sitting in a freezing truck on the side of the road, completely alone. Let’s not forget that."

Advice to a Younger Self

What advice would you give your younger self starting in this industry?

"Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. If you’re starting a trucking company, make sure you have other income streams. Trucking is too volatile to be your only source. Once you start making money, invest it, or start a side hustle. Second: act fast.

If something feels off, it probably is and it will only get worse. I’ve been burned so many times because I waited, hoping things would improve. A driver was reported for erratic behavior — I didn’t fire him. He later caused a serious accident.

A broker was late on payments, but still gave us loads. He went bankrupt and I never got paid. If I had acted sooner, I could’ve avoided those disasters. So now I tell myself: if it doesn’t feel right fix it, or walk away."

Thanks to people like Chris, who bring attention to the experiences of truck drivers– the often overlooked backbone of America's supply chain– we're finally hearing their stories and finding ways to support them better.